JOHN SWINNEY HIGHLIGHTING NATION’S EXPORT POTENTIAL

Scotland’s potential on the world stage and the gains of independence will today be highlighted by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney in Kelso.

Mr Swinney will meet with Derek Cameron, Owner and Chairman of Scotmas Group, a company based in Kelso with a global reach that specialises in the design of water treatment dosing systems.

Scotmas survived the economic downturn of 2008 and – with support form Scottish Enterprise – expanded their operations and developed a chlorine dioxide system for water treatment, for use in the off-shore oil and gas industry and other services including hospitals; since then they have gone form strength to strength.

The visit follows news coverage earlier this week showing Scotland is the 14th wealthiest country in the OECD in terms of by GDP per capita - £2,300 higher than UK as whole and ahead of France and Japan.

Speaking ahead of the Kelso visit Mr Swinney said:

“The Borders is a hugely important area and Scotmas is a great company that highlights Scotland’s business strengths; flexibility, the ability to innovate and the confidence to trade and deliver on the world stage.

“The success of Scotmas reflects Scotland’s annual growh in manufactured exports – the fastest seen since 2008 – this is good news for Scottish businesses and the wider Scottish economy. 

“This comes in the same week that we see coverage of new analysis showing Scotland’s GDP per head is significantly better than major economies like France, Japan and the UK as a whole.

“Clearly, Scotland more than has what it takes to be a successful, independent country. A Yes vote brings us the opportunity to use that wealth to help employers across Scotland, instead of wasting £100bn on a new system of Trident nuclear weapons.

“With a YES vote and the full powers of independence we would be able to use the full range of economic levers at our disposal to enable Scottish companies to increase their global reach.”

Scotmas Chairman, Mr Cameron, added:

“The powers of devolution have been good for business in Scotland but with a Yes vote and independence my company and other firms can do so much more.

“Scotland is a well known and well liked country internationally – people across the globe are watching what happens on September 18 very closely – with a YES vote international interest will increase and the global business opportunities available to Scotland will grow and grow.”